Long Description:?About the statue: "In August of 1980, Father John Sweeny, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church in Santa Clara, California, fulfilled a long-time desire to give special honor to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. That month, he commissioned noted sculptor Charles C. Parks, a noted sculptor, of Wilmington, Delaware, to design a 32-foot stainless steel statue of Our Lady, under this title. Thus began a remarkable odyssey, of a truly extraordinary image of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God. After several models, the masterpiece was begun.

The statue which some have called "the awesome Madonna," was finished in the Summer of 1982. It stands higher than most three-story buildings. The 7200-pound statue rises to a height of thirty-two feet and rests on a twelve-foot landscaped mound. The head, hands, and feet are cast in stainless steel. The gown is constructed of welded strips of stainless steel.

After completion in the artist's Wilmington, Delaware, studio in 1982, the statue was exhibited in Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Chicago en route to its permanent location.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Peace was dedicated on October 7, 1983, by Most Reverend Pierre DuMaine, Bishop of San Jose. A hand-illuminated papal blessing was presented to the Shrine on that occasion."

Visit Instructions:Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.